Why It’s Important to Have HIPAA Compliance for a Volunteer Management Software
When it comes to using a volunteer software, it is important to consider if the provider is compliant with HIPAA. Compliance with HIPAA (along with CCPA, PIPEDA and GDPR) provides organizations with confidence when receiving and storing private information about their volunteers on a system.
However, many organizations aren’t using solutions that are compliant with HIPAA or other security standards. With more than 298 million individuals affected by data breaches in 2021 according to statistica, it is crucial to work with a service provider that deploys the necessary security protocols that keep your organization (and its volunteers) safe.
What is HIPAA compliance?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a U.S. federal law that governs the use and disclosure of personal health information. HIPAA applies to healthcare providers and other organizations that handle protected health information (PHI). HIPAA requires entities to implement administrative and technical security measures to protect the privacy of users.
How does HIPAA-compliance relate to volunteer software?
Organizations who use volunteer management software keep track of volunteer information within their database. Whether the organization is keeping track of protected health information or other sensitive information about their volunteers, it is important that their service provider adheres to the standards set forth by HIPAA. These standards can benefit any organization who valus the privacy and security of its volunteers.
How do you know if your volunteer management system is HIPAA-compliant?
If your service provider is compliant with HIPAA, they will clearly state it on their privacy policy. You can see an example from Vome Volunteer’s privacy policy. A proper HIPAA-compliant privacy policy will include the security measures they have taken, what information is being collected and how your information is being used. You should be able to request their compliance package, along with the ability to erase data relating to your account.
The importance of choosing the right service provider
Since data stored about your volunteers is only as secure as the provider you choose to work with, using the right service provider becomes very important. You should work with a company that is transparent about their security protocols and follows recommended government guidelines.
If you are looking for a software that is HIPAA-compliant, Vome Volunteer has you covered. Contact us or learn more about our policies.